OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST - QATHET COMPLEX CARE HOUSING

Lift Community Services (LIFT) focuses on helping all people thrive in the qathet region by reducing social inequities and by providing support and advocacy for anyone who needs it. Our vision is a welcoming, inclusive, and diversity-affirming community that is free of poverty and full of heart. At Lift, we believe a thriving, sustainable community comes from a collaborative, equitable, future-focused approach.
Lift Community Services is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

OPPORTUNITY

The qathet Complex Care Housing (CCH) program is a collaboration between LIFT community Services Society (LIFT), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Tla’amin Nation. This program represents a suite of services and supports aimed at ensuring people with significant mental health, substance use and other health complexities attain safe and stable housing as a foundation to thrive. These services support participants through transitions with the appropriate level of service as their needs change over time, in line with Tier 1, Intensive Supportive Housing and Tier 2, Stabilization and Respite, and represent an increase in services offered at Supportive Housing, and select community-based shelter and housing sites.
LIFT is seeking an Occupational Therapist to join the multi-disciplinary qathet CCH team to collaborate with the healthcare team to support clients’ development of physical, social, emotional and life skills. See here for full job description: Occupational Therapist - qathet Complex Care Housing job description

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in Occupational Therapy from a recognized program.
• Current full registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC).
• Minimum of two (2) years of recent, related clinical experience.
• At least one year of experience working with clients presenting with mental health and/or substance use conditions would be considered a significant asset.
• A combination of education, training and experience may also be accepted.
• Experience with trauma-informed care and demonstrated ability to practice from a harm reduction approach would be an asset.
• Valid BC Driver’s License and access to personal vehicle for local area travel may be required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective service in a variety of community settings and with diverse populations especially those with mental health or substance use disorders.
• Working knowledge of occupational therapy theory and practice including the application of standardized tests/tools and measures.
• Working knowledge of the determinants of health and health promotion principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of community health agencies and available community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully analyze situations, problem solve and facilitate resolutions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, evaluate and modify rehabilitation services.
• Demonstrated ability to prescribe and/or recommend a variety of self-aids and rehabilitation equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct relevant assessments per established standards of practice.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and empower clients to assume control over their health.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to unexpected events, problem-solve, set priorities and deal with conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize workload.
• Knowledge of health care disciplines and their role in client care and demonstrated ability to support seamless transition in care, recognizing when referral to another health care professional is required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with clients, other clinical team members and community partners.
• Working knowledge of research and quality improvement process and methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to promote a supportive, creative learning environment and continuous quality improvement.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership, supervision, work direction and consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with clients and their families, coworkers, physicians, other health care staff and staff of external agencies.
• Effective communicator with proficient use of nonverbal, verbal, and written styles in English language, when applicable
• Demonstrated skill in CPR techniques.
• Ability to operate a computerized client care information system and cellular phone.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), EMRs, or similar programs.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

KEY TASKS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Assesses and analyses the client’s physical, perceptual/cognitive and psychosocial function, physical environment and cultural milieu to identify occupational performance issues.
• Based on assessment findings and in partnership with the client and other team members, plans and implements an occupational therapy care plan to promote participation in valued activities such as selfcare, work and leisure, and to ensure access to community resources for social participation and community integration.
• Plans outcome-focused occupational therapy services by collaborating with the client, other health professionals, and clinical team members.
• Identifies expectations for service, establishes and prioritizes expected outcomes, and discusses service implementation options to meet identified client goals.
• Through one-to-one or group intervention, provides re-training and compensatory strategies, behavioral activation, health promotion, and lifestyle modification to prevent chronic conditions, manage musculoskeletal conditions (including pain management, energy conservation), self-management of chronic conditions, prevention of secondary complications, and mental health promotion.
• Recommends, and when appropriate, arranges for modifications to support participation in valued activities and follows up on client’s ability to function in the home and other community settings.
• Implements occupational therapy services in accordance with established practice guidelines and utilizing diverse intervention approaches by carrying out the plan, engaging the client in activities associated with occupational roles and the client’s goals.
• Documents and maintains client’s occupational therapy related health care information, including but not limited to goals, assessment, intervention, and evaluation in the EMR system utilizing the professional standards of practice guidelines.
• Documents client perspectives, observations and activities that support client priorities. Maintains complete and accurate records by inputting data and documentation in accordance with established procedures and policies.
• Evaluates occupational therapy services, including quality and outcomes, in collaboration with the client and clinical team members by determining the purpose, method and criteria of the examination, Implementing the evaluation.
• Reviews and analyzes available data to assess and modify the implementation plan, support service delivery, and identify completion criteria and future planning to promote, develop, maintain and/or restore occupational potential.
• Models professional, accountable, safe, and self-directed occupational therapy practice by means such as establishing trust in the client and caregiver relationship, demonstrating respect for the diversity of client values and beliefs, exhibiting cultural humility and promoting indigenous cultural safety.
• Maintains and updates knowledge by reviewing the literature and consulting with other disciplines, providing interventions based on current scientific and clinical evidence.
• Acts as an occupational therapy resource, reviews team proposals/policies/procedures, provides input to enhance client-centered care.
• Engages in on-going team planning, development, evaluation and quality improvement activities that facilitate team goal setting, problem solving, conflict resolution, and collaboration.
• Collaborates and consults with the interdisciplinary team, other health care professionals/partners, and clients/families to establish appropriate goals and holistic care plans.
• Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration in the identification and resolution of client care issues, treatment concerns, continuity of services, cultural and language barriers, ethical dilemmas, crisis management, and community resource coordination.
• Ensures a safe environment for clients and staff by adhering to violence prevention, infection control, occupational health and safety standards.
• Performs housekeeping duties as required, checks the operation of relevant equipment to ensure safe working order, and reports incident/equipment problems or general safety concerns to Supervisor.
• Attends and participates in staff development programs, team meetings, and other meetings as required.
• Participates in training and orientation of staff, students, and client/families as required.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.